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Apart from a couple of cruises ten years or so ago, all of my cruises have been since I was over 55.

I look for cruises by price, as I am a solo traveller and don't have the resources to pay double.

My favourite is Cunard, because I like the formality, and the activities were to my taste.

I also like RCI very much, and have had three cruises with the line. For the first time I have bought a next cruise voucher as I'm confident that I will go with RCI again. There was only a handful of children on my RCI cruises. There are plenty of activities during the day, which I like to join in with. I also like to spend my time on deck in the solarium, where children are excluded. It's also quieter there, away from the noise and bustle of the main pool.

If you're going to cruise a large ship. Meaning about 2000, don't go when kids on vacation.
We went on Princess the beginning of Jan there were a lot of kids. We couldn't get into the
Main pool. Too many kids splashing, jumping. We've done a lot of Princess and Celebrity. We like
Celebrity better. Next cruise is on Oceania, our first with that line.

If you're going to cruise a large ship. Meaning about 2000, don't go when kids on vacation.
We went on Princess the beginning of Jan there were a lot of kids. We couldn't get into the
Main pool. Too many kids splashing, jumping. We've done a lot of Princess and Celebrity. We like
Celebrity better. Next cruise is on Oceania, our first with that line.

Great choice! After O, it will be very difficult to ever go back to a mass market cruise line. We love O!

It depends on itins and a time. Our latest RCCL cruise to Canada had majority of PAX in their 60-70. Many 90+ birthdays.

Our Caribbean Cruise on HAL was all about families with kids.

Same on Celebrity. Caribbeans - families. California Coastal - 60-70.

We did Canada a couple of months ago on RCCL and it looked like a lot of 40, 50, 60 somethings. We have a 14n Disney cruise booked. I'm curious to see the ages on that! On the DisBoards, it seems we have all ages represented but very few kids.

Way over 55 and we like almost all cruise ships but I guess i would rate then in this order:
1.Regent Seven Seas ...for the cabin sizes
2. Oceana's R class... for the service and no extra charges on many things.
3. Princess... for the Elite perks and because they allow us to combine all our OBCs. They also give an OBC to veterans.
4. Celebrity...good food and service . Happy hour for Elite with drinks and snacks.
5. Royal Caribbean...For conbining with Celebrity and Azamara to bust our past passenger status. and for their inovations to cruisisng ships.
6. Disney...for families with young children.
7. HAL,,,for traditional type cruising.

I could go on but I think you see we really like them all. There is something for everyone.

We've done two, and a 3rd booked, on Disney - all w/o kids. They do a GREAT job of keeping adult and kid areas separate. You don't ever have to be around kids if you don't want to be.

My husband and I don't cruise much. We've only been on 5 cruises, 3 Carnival, 1 Royal, and the most recent one Celebrity. The ship I liked the least was Celebrity because the ship was old, small, and crowded and because the food in the dining room wasn't good. We enjoyed it, though, and are glad we went on the cruise because we got a free beverage package as a perk and our friends were on the ship.

I liked the Carnival ships we were on. The Spirit was beautiful. I was a teacher, so until I retired, I had to travel when ships were most full of children. That's the only thing I didn't like about the first 2 Carnival cruises. The food was very good in the dining rooms and the entertainment was great. My husband and I were much younger then. I don't know if we'd like the same entertainment today as much as then.

The Royal ship was very pretty. The promenade was impressive but I liked the way the Carnival ships were laid out better because you could always see the ocean in public areas on Carnival. The promenade was like a beautiful city street and you didn't even know you were on a ship when you were there. That's just a matter of preference. Possibly today I might prefer the promenade over the Carnival design. Now looking over a rail to the ocean at night makes me a little nervous whereas it was romantic years ago.

We can now understand the people who get annoyed about uncontrolled children on board, We are not anti children (We have 4 children of our own and 9 Grandchildren) and love them all dearly, and have never had a problem with children on board, UNTIL on a Med. cruise last year from Venice to Rome. It all comes back to the parents,if they dont care, either do the children (these were all from about ages 6 to 14) . They were left to wander & run about the ship in packs ,still going at 2AM often, A volume of complaints from many went nowhere ,with the standard answer we cannot control the parents & "their" children. " Very Poor Princess."

We've done a number of cruises with RCI, Princess and P and O. Princess used to be our favourite, particularly Emerald and Ruby, and still is in terms of ship design, amenities and port intensive itineraries. Last cruise round the Med in September was great for the number of ports visited but it seemed Princess were trying to attract a younger clientele. The large outdoor movie screen on the main sundeck showed rock concerts from 10 am and the noise level was unbelievable. Nothing against Bono or Tina Turner but not my choice for that time of day!

Just back from a cruise with RCI and doubt we'll repeat it. The kids were fine - better behaved than some of their parents! But it was all a bit too casual and geared to young people qnd families, not my choice for a relaxing vacation.

Cruising generally now attracts a much younger, noisier crowd and guess generates more income for the cruise lines as a result. Must seem strange for some of the 'old school' cruisers, and cruise line staff, particularly some of the wait staff and maitre'd s who've worked in the business for many years. The informality and casual dress etc is a distance from the way it was even a few years back.

We're trying Azamara in November and will continue to travel to interesting places, but will avoid big ships, caribbean and med routes that attract the younger crowd and probably plan ahead more, rather than go for the last minute heavily discounted deals that may attract large groups etc

I'm brandy new to Cruisecritic, altho I've cruised 6-7 times in the past. So, we're trying to decide whether to go to the Greek Isles and Turkey with Azamara in Sept (perfect season) or Oceania in May.....neither one have we sailed before. They both offer the itinerary we want, just in different seasons. I was happy to hear you so enthusiastic about Oceania, since it confirms what I read repeatedly about the R ships. Anything else to add?
and Thanks!

I'm brandy new to Cruisecritic, altho I've cruised 6-7 times in the past. So, we're trying to decide whether to go to the Greek Isles and Turkey with Azamara in Sept (perfect season) or Oceania in May.....neither one have we sailed before. They both offer the itinerary we want, just in different seasons. I was happy to hear you so enthusiastic about Oceania, since it confirms what I read repeatedly about the R ships. Anything else to add?
and Thanks!

The May oceania cruise is just about perfect in every way. We have done it twice
With the cruises before and after. Enjoy the great food and service on O.

I'm brandy new to Cruisecritic, altho I've cruised 6-7 times in the past. So, we're trying to decide whether to go to the Greek Isles and Turkey with Azamara in Sept (perfect season) or Oceania in May.....neither one have we sailed before. They both offer the itinerary we want, just in different seasons. I was happy to hear you so enthusiastic about Oceania, since it confirms what I read repeatedly about the R ships. Anything else to add?
and Thanks!

We did the Oceania Istanbul to Rome last May and loved it! It was on their newest ship, the Riveria, which is gorgeous! The things we love are: there are no children (one cruise did have one child), VERY limited smoking, no photographers, no charge for the specialty restaurants, no lines, no formal nights, dress code is country club casual, quality food and wonderful service! In our opinion, perfect for the 'more mature' crowd.

We have sailed on Royal Caribbean x4, Celebrity twice and Princess once. As quiet, relaxed people who don't party or gamble, we like Royal best for the food, the pools, the availability of quiet areas. However, would cheerfully sail any of the three, and now that we are experienced cruisers, we would like to try Princess again, as it was our first cruise and had no idea what to expect! You can shuffle board or party hearty on any of these.

Sail when school is in session, the cruise is more than 6 days long and you will have the fewest children. I love kids but would not want the mayhem of a spring break cruise.

Good thoughts, but you also point out something else to take into account. You note you're "quiet, relaxed people who don't party or gamble." That's great, but although we're in our late 50's, we're somewhat the opposite because on vacation and on a cruise we're more of the "party hearty" type and enjoy the nightlife and dancing. We also enjoy formal nights and the chance to get dressed up for the evening - that's a key part of the cruise experience for us as opposed to other vacations. We've cruised and enjoyed RCCL mostly, and probably need to consider Celebrity and Princess too as we read these threads! (Although the "way too quiet" review from one in this thread regarding Celebrity gives us pause!

We like the bigger ships with more activities. Love DCL and have done 2 sans kids- still great; RCCL comes in next because of activities, service. Celebrity is WAY to quiet for us but had great service; Carnival has been ok and we are booked on another. HATED NCL for a variety of reasons- chaos with freestyle dining, poor service, terrible shows.

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Thanks, that's interesting info. You sound much like us, we're in our late 50s, but love the nightlife, dancing and partying in the evenings - wouldn't want a real quiet atmosphere.

Good thoughts, but you also point out something else to take into account. You note you're "quiet, relaxed people who don't party or gamble." That's great, but although we're in our late 50's, we're somewhat the opposite because on vacation and on a cruise we're more of the "party hearty" type and enjoy the nightlife and dancing. We also enjoy formal nights and the chance to get dressed up for the evening - that's a key part of the cruise experience for us as opposed to other vacations. We've cruised and enjoyed RCCL mostly, and probably need to consider Celebrity and Princess too as we read these threads! (Although the "way too quiet" review from one in this thread regarding Celebrity gives us pause!

There are lots of late night activities advertised on RCCL ships and a couple at our table on the Adventure of the Seas was delighted with all the music and dancing venues. I keep trying to get DH to stay up late enough to party at least once, but so far no luck! We enjoy the formal nights too and hope they continue.

One of the things I like best about cruising is that everyone can have the vacation they want!

There are lots of late night activities advertised on RCCL ships and a couple at our table on the Adventure of the Seas was delighted with all the music and dancing venues. I keep trying to get DH to stay up late enough to party at least once, but so far no luck! We enjoy the formal nights too and hope they continue.

One of the things I like best about cruising is that everyone can have the vacation they want!

Good point, MommaBear! Definitely to each their own - and cruising is good for that. Luckily for us, we're both inclined to stay up late dancing and partying and then sleep in late the next morning! We do love formal nights, and tend to get cleaned up and dress nicely even on the other evenings. Of course, that didn't stop us from joining a few others in spontaneously jumping in the pool during the evening poolside dance night!

I am 63 and have been on two cruises; both RCCL. 2013 was San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on Vision of the Seas. 2012 was Singapore to Sydney on Rhapsody of the Seas. 2012 was many nationalities with lots of Australians and New Zealanders. 2012 was mostly Americans with about 70 Australians. Very different cruising experiences. In 2012 I travelled as a solo male (one of the very few) and in 2013 as a couple with my lady friend. I consider myself a middle of the road person and felt that RCCL was catering for similar people.